Lubing cables question
I rely a little too heavily on my local LBS for bicycle maintenance and I'd like to start taking on a few basic tasks myself.
First question, how do I lube the brake cables? I have Campy Chorus shifters and despite digging around under the hoods, I couldn't find a logical place to squirt some lube. Pictures, videos and explanations welcome, thanks in advance for your help. |
http://www.protectall.com/cable_life.htm I use this and tri-flow, but I don't have Brifters. I lube it from the levers down, don't know if it would work from the brake/derailleur back up.
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You can't lube the cables from the shifter lever. If you want to lube them you need to unbolt the cables from the derailleurs and brakes and then remove the cables from the housings. If you aren't having shifting issues, don't bother because when you re-attach the cables, you will have to re-adjust your brakes and derailleurs.
You also need to be careful which lube you use. Some lubes can cause the lining inside the housing to expand which will actually increase the friction. |
I never lube my cables. If I suspect a cable problem, I replace cables and housings. I don't use anything but stainless cables. With the exception of old freewheels, I don't use oil on any part of any of my bikes. If it needs lubrication, I take it apart and grease it.
I'm not telling you to do what I do. I'm just telling you what works for me. |
I always lube cables. When they go in new, I use grease. When they dry out, I use oil. Try standing the bike on it's head (front wheel), and dripping oil from the cable stops backwards.
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The best way for me to lube cables is to slide them out of the housing and wipe white grease on the cable. I always solder the cut end of the cable at the brakes and derailers, then make a clean cut on the soldered end with my Park Tool cable cutter. Makes cables much easier to reinsert in the housing. If the cable end is frayed you may not be able to get it back in the housing which sucks. You want a smooth burr free cable end with no blobs of solder. I use 5% silver, 425 degree solder and Stay Free liquid flux. The flux is acid so it needs to be neutralized with baking soda after soldering.
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Here is a video that shows how to release and lube the cables quick and easily using Tri-Flow.
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i dont lube any cables reason being it only rots plastic cover and sticks up your brakes,think about it all it is is one piece of wire running inside a plastic sheath,no need for any lube there,the udjusters do all the work and nothing else does.
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ps,lubing cable will also attract alot of dirt and eventually stuff up,as far as i know these wire cables are meant to be lubed at all
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Originally Posted by CharlesC
(Post 5677432)
The best way for me to lube cables is to slide them out of the housing and wipe white grease on the cable.
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Originally Posted by BicycleTutor
(Post 6204219)
Here is a video that shows how to release and lube the cables quick and easily using Tri-Flow.
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That video is very good. If you don't have the thin, penetrating, oil they use, make a funnel out of a plastic bag and tape it to the end of the housing, then squirt your oil into it and let it run down overnight. That's how I've always done it.
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I always grease the cables before I install them and I have never had a cable/housing corrosion problem ever, and sometimes I have had the same cables for over ten years.
I learned this when I worked at an LBS. We took out all cables and greased them during assembly of new bikes. Bikes would come back that had been left outdoors forever in the winter, chain so rusted it wouldn't turn, but the brakes worked fine. |
Both Shimano and Campagnolo recommend greasing new cables but they don't say what to use. I've been using automotive silicone door lock grease. I think white grease should also be good. I grease the cables when new and they last a long time.
Al |
Originally Posted by Bob Dopolina
(Post 5668328)
You can't lube the cables from the shifter lever. If you want to lube them you need to unbolt the cables from the derailleurs and brakes and then remove the cables from the housings. If you aren't having shifting issues, don't bother because when you re-attach the cables, you will have to re-adjust your brakes and derailleurs.
You also need to be careful which lube you use. Some lubes can cause the lining inside the housing to expand which will actually increase the friction. http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_1156.jpg http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_1154.jpg Without pedaling, shift the shifter in the opposite direction (low gear in the front, high gear in the back). http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_1157.jpg This will release the tension on the cable http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_1158.jpg and allow you to pull the cable housing from the stops...assuming that you have slotted stops and noncontinuous cable housing http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_1160.jpg http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_1161.jpg Now you can apply a light coating of lubricant to the cable. Just reverse the process to put it all back together |
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